Principal Engineer

A newly funded growth equity firm is building its first in-house technology platform—and is hiring a founding technical leader to own it end-to-end.This is a true phase-zero build: no legacy constraints, no predefined stack, and full ownership of how data, workflows, and AI are used to identify and win high-quality investment opportunities.You’ll architect and build a proprietary deal sourcing engine—a system that ingests signal from across the internet, surfaces the most relevant companies, and enables the firm to engage them ahead of the market.This is a high-impact role for someone who wants to write code, shape strategy, and build a long-term asset at the core of an investment firm.What You’ll DoOwn the technical vision and execution for a greenfield deal sourcing platformDesign and build modern data pipelines and infrastructure to ingest, process, and prioritize signal from diverse sourcesDevelop dynamic scoring systems to identify high-potential companies based on evolving investment criteriaBuild internal tools and workflows that enable the team to:Source opportunitiesTrack engagementCapture and learn from interactions (calls, decks, meetings, etc.)Leverage AI/automation to streamline workflows across the investment lifecycleDefine and implement the optimal tech stack (data, backend, frontend, orchestration)Work hands-on as an IC while setting architectural directionCollaborate closely with investors to understand how they “hunt” and translate that into scalable systemsLay the foundation for a long-term proprietary data advantageWhat Makes This DifferentZero-to-one ownership: build from scratch with full autonomyDirect impact on capital deployment strategyLong-term data moat: you’re building infrastructure that compounds over yearsAI-first mandate: automate workflows, extract insights, and continuously improve the systemHigh-leverage environment: small team, fast decisions, real outcomesWhat You BringProven experience as a senior/principal-level engineer or architectStrong background in backend systems, data infrastructure, and scalable architecturesDeep expertise in building production-grade backend systems, with strong command of Python or comparable languages (e.g., Go, Java, C++) and a track record of designing scalable, high-performance architecturesExperience with data platforms (e.g., Snowflake or equivalent) and modern pipelinesDemonstrated experience building full-stack applications, with the ability to design and implement intuitive front-end workflows and user interfacesAbility to operate as both:Hands-on builder (IC)Strategic technical leaderStrong product and design instincts—can shape workflows, not just build themComfortable making high-conviction technical decisionsBias for action: you ship quickly and iterateInterest in AI/automation and data-driven systemsBonus: exposure to financial services, investing, or data-driven decision environmentsWho You AreYou’ve run teams before—and now want to get back into the codeYou’re not interested in “ivory tower” leadership—you want to build and ownYou think like a systems builder and a problem solver, not just an executorYou’re motivated by long-term impact and alignment, not short-term winsYou’re curious about how to turn raw information into actionable insightCompensation & StructureCompetitive base salary + bonusFund-level economics / carry participation for long-term alignmentClear path to building and leading a team over timeHybrid role: Greater NYC area, 3 days onsiteIf you’re looking to combine deep technical work with real strategic impact—and build something that compounds over years—this is that opportunity.